GB2080410A - Electrically controlled sliding roof, particularly for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrically controlled sliding roof is described, arranged for mounting on a motor vehicle. The most important characteristic of this roof is that it comprises a panel (12) slidable on guides (21, 22) between a closed position and an open position; a frame (20) which supports the panel (12) and is arranged to be fixed to the roof (14) of the body of the motor vehicle (10); an electrical motor (15) (not visible in the figure) and a spring cable (16) having one end fixed to the panel (12) and the other end coupled to a pinion driven by the electric motor (15). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrically controlled sliding roof, particularly for motor vehicles This invention relates to an electrically controlled sliding roof preferably for installation on a motor vehicle.

Known sliding roofs for motor vehicles comprise substantially a panel which slides on guides mounted on the fixed part of the motor vehicle roof, and an electric motor which by means of a steel cable moves the panel between a first position in which it tightly closes an aperture in said fixed part of the roof, and a second position in which it becomes disposed below said fixed part in such a manner as to leave the said aperture free. In particular, the steel cable is generally constituted by a number of wires wound about themselves, and has its opposing ends connected to a pulley driven by the motor, and an intermediate point fixed to the sliding panel so that it becomes substantially divided into a first part arranged to move the panel in one direction, and a second part arranged to move the panel in the opposite direction.

Sliding roofs of the aforesaid type have certain drawbacks. Firstly, they are particularly complicated to assemble, because of which they require a considerable amount of iabour. In addition, the cable is extremely noisy during opening and closing, because it slides against the interior of the body, so annoying the driver. Finally, a tensioning device always has to be applied to the cable in order to take-up the slack of the panel when in its closed position, in order to ensure a perfect seal.

The object of the present invention is to provide a sliding roof for motor vehicles which is free from the drawbacks of the aforesaid sliding roofs of known type.

The said object is attained according to the present invention by an electrically controlled sliding roof for mounting on a motor vehicle..

characterised by comprising a panel slidable on guides between a closed position and an open position; a frame which supports said panel and is arranged for fixing to the roof of the body of said motor vehicle; an electric motor; and a spring cable having one end fixed to said panel and its other end coupled to a pinion driven by said electric motor.

The present invention will be more apparent from the description of a preferred embodiment given hereinafter by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle on which a sliding roof according to the present invention is mounted; Figure 2 is a section on the plane Il-Il of Figure 1 to an enlarged scale; Figure 3 is a view from above of part of the sliding roof of Figure 1, to an enlarged scale; Figure 4 is a view on the plane IV--IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a view from above of a detail of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a view of the plane VI--VI of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a view on the plane VIl-VIl of Figure 3; and Figure 8 is an enlarged view of that part of the roof illustrated in Figure 3.

In Figure 1 , the reference numeral 10 indicates overall a motor vehicle on which a sliding roof 11 constructed according to the present invention is mounted. In particular, the roof 11 comprises substantially a panel 12, which in Figure 1 is urged in a sealed manner against an annular gasket 13 disposed on the edge of an aperture, not shown, in the roof 1 4 of the body of the motor vehicle 10; a geared motor 1 5 conveniently located in a rear zone of the vehicle in proximity to the rear window; and a spring cable 1 6 of known type contained inside a flexible sheath 17, also of known type. In particular, the cable 1 6 has one end fixed to the panel 12 and its other end coupled to a pinion (not shown) driven by the geared motor 1 5.

The panel 12 is slidable on front guides 21 and rear guides 22 carried by a support frame 20 which is fixed to the vehicle roof 14 on the side facing the interior of the passenger compartment.

More particularly, the frame 20 is of substantially rectangular form and has a first aperture 23 in a position corresponding with the panel 12 when in its closed position, and a pair of apertures 23a, 24b, the only purpose of which is to lighten the structure of the roof 12, and which are disposed in that zone of the frame 20 lying below the roof 14 of the vehicle 10 (see Figures 2 and 3).

With particular reference to Figures 4 and 5, each front guide 21 is substantially constituted by a sheet metal element bent to form a first and second appendix 25, 26 respectively, which extend in directions which are parallel longitudinally but are positioned at 900 to each other in the transverse direction. A respective slide block 27, 28, preferably constructed of plastics material, is arranged to slide on each appendix 25, 26, and is carried by appendices 29, 30 of a bracket 31. This latter is connected to a support and stiffening framework 32 which is fixed in its turn to the surface of the panel 12 on the side facing the interior of the passenger compartment.

With particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, the rear guide 22 is conveniently formed from a plastics element comprising longitudinally a rectilinear slot 34 in which two pins 35 and 36 are arranged to slide (see Figures 6 and 8). As can be better seen in Figures 6 and 8, the slot 34 comprises at its end a curvature which faces upwards in order to guide the pin 35 towards the roof 14 of said motor vehicle. As the pin 35 is connected to the stiffening framework 32 for the panel 12, when this latter is nearly closed the curved part of the slot 34 forces the panel 12 to cooperate in a sealed manner with the said gasket 13.

An end edge 37 of a lining 39 is fixed to the pin 36, the opposite edge of this lining being fixed, preferably by gluing, to a peripheral edge of the framework 32.

With particular reference to Figure 3, the panel 12 and relative stiffening framework 32 comprise in a central position an appendix 43 to which a strengthening plate 44 (see also Figure 7) is fixed by means of bolts 45, 46.

Finally, the plate 44 is mounted rigid with the core 48 (see Figure 7) of the spring cable 16 by means of a pair of angular elements 49a, 49b which have a common wall so as to define a single T element, the upper part of which is fixed, for example welded, to the plate 44, while the lower end is fixed to the core 48. As stated, the cable 16 and sheath 1 7 are of known type. In particular, the sheath 1 7 is substantially constituted by an axially open tubular section arranged to allow both the end of the elements 49a, 49b to slide and the various parts to move but without compromising the movements of the cable 1 6. As can be seen in Figure 1, the sheath 1 7 is conveniently shaped so that it is almost entirely hidden from a person located inside the vehicle.

Finally, in a manner not illustrated on the drawings, a pushbutton or electrical switch is disposed inside the vehicle in a position easily accessible from the driver's seat, and is arranged to supply electric current to the geared motor 1 5.

Limiting microswitches could also be disposed in order to stop the motor 15 when the panel 12 reaches its opposing closed or open positions, and which are also arranged to reverse the current to the motor 15 to allow the direction of movement of said panel 12 to be reversed.

With particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, the support frame 20 comprises about the front aperture 23 an upwardly bent annular rim 51, the purpose of which is to define an annular tray 52 which, if the gasket 13 should deteriorate with corresponding lessening of the seal between the panel 12 and gasket 13; would allow collection of the water which could infiltrate from the outside by passing between the said gasket 1 3 and panel 12. In order to prevent water from settling inside the tray 52, a drain tube (not shown) could be provided in. order to enable the water in the tray 52 to be discharged to the outside of the vehicle.

From an examination of the characteristics of the sliding roof 1 heretofore described, it can be seen that it attains the aforesaid objects.

Firstly, it is extremely simple to assemble in that the drive part is iimited to the geared motor 1 5 and the spring cable 1 6 contained in the sheath 1 7. The use of the spring cable 1 6 obviates the aforesaid drawbacks in that it does not require the outward and return portions to be double, neither do deviation pulleys have to be provided in that it can easily follow the various body curvatures within the passenger compartment.

In addition, it is not necessary to use a tensioning device for taking-up the slack between the panel 12 and gasket 13, because the thrust which the spring cable 1 6 exerts on the panel 12 is sufficient to keep the panel 12 closed in a sealed manner.

Finally, it is apparent that modifications can be c made to the sliding roof 11 heretofore described, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

Claims (9)

1. An electrically controlled sliding roof for mounting on a motor vehicle, characterised by comprising a panel (12) slidable on guides (21, 22) between a closed position and an open position: a frame (20) which supports said panel (12) and is arranged for fixing to the roof (14) of the body of said motor vehicle (10); an electric motor (15); and a spring cable (16) having one end fixed to said panel (12) and its other end coupled to a pinion driven by said electric motor (15).

2. A roof as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said cable (16) is contained in a sheath (17) substantially constituted by an open tubular section.

3. A roof as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said guides comprise a pair of front guides (21) and a pair of rear guides (22).

4. A roof as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that each of said front guides (21) is constructed of bent sheet metal and comprises two appendices (25, 26) which extend parallel to each other longitudinally and are disposed perpendicular to each other in the transverse direction, a respective slide block (27, 28) carried by said panel (12) being arranged to slide on each of said appendices.

5. A roof as claimed in claim 3 or 4, characterised in that each of said rear guides (22) is substantially constituted by an element comprising a slot (34) arranged for engagement by a pin (35) carried by said panel (12).

6. A roof as claimed in claim 5, characterised by comprising a lining (39) fixed at the front to said panel (12) and comprising at its rear a pair of pins (36), each of which engages in said slot (34) of said rear guide (22).

7. A roof as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterised in that said slot (34) of said rear guide has a curved end arranged to cause said panel (12), by means of said pin (35), td move against the edges of an aperture in said support frame (20).

8. A roof as claimed in claim 7, characterised by comprising an annular gasket (13) of elastically deformable material mounted on the edge of said frame (20) which defines said aperture.

9. A sliding roof as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.